Fiji has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Pacific nation to unveil the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Vigimobile app, a digital tool aimed at enhancing the monitoring of medicine and vaccine safety. The launch took place at the Holiday Inn in Suva, emphasizing Fiji’s ongoing dedication to public health protection.
The Vigimobile app, developed collaboratively by the WHO and the Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC), enables both healthcare professionals and the public to securely and easily report any unexpected side effects or reactions associated with medicines and vaccines. This initiative underscores Fiji’s pioneering role in medicine safety, dating back to its participation in the WHO program for International Drug Monitoring, which it joined in 1999.
The app boasts offline capabilities, multilingual support, and robust data security, ensuring that it remains accessible to health workers and citizens in both urban and remote areas. Its launch coincides with the 10-year anniversary of #MedSafetyWeek, an international campaign by UMC aimed at promoting safe medicine usage through timely and accurate reporting.
Ms. Sophie Genay-Diliautas, Deputy WHO representative, praised Fiji’s leadership in this pivotal project. She stated, “Vigimobile contributes to a safer, more responsive health system,” affirming WHO’s commitment to supporting Fiji in this transformative endeavor.
This development reflects a broader trend across Fiji’s healthcare system, underscored by recent initiatives such as the launch of the Sova Ni Bula app, which similarly aims to improve health management and care for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Just like Vigimobile, the Sova Ni Bula app emphasizes the integration of technology in healthcare to enhance patient care and minimize wait times significantly.
The introduction of such innovative applications positions Fiji as a leader in leveraging technology to confront health challenges effectively, ultimately paving the way for improved health outcomes for its population. With the support of international efforts, these advancements indicate a progressive outlook for healthcare in Fiji, fostering hope for a healthier future.